NIKKI HALEY IS ABOUT TO CALL FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG from the South Carolina capitol grounds, sources say. Watch the live feed here.

UPDATE: The speech has concluded. Haley gave recognition to the different “viewpoints” of the meaning of the flag, but, she said, “It’s time to move the flag from the capitol grounds.” That brought huge applause. She said — this is my transcription, done live — “Some people will see this as a sad moment… but this flag, while an integral part of our past, does not belong in our future…. By removing a symbol that divides us, we can move forward in harmony,” honoring the “9 souls… who are in Heaven.” Haley stressed that this was a decision for South Carolina to make and that many people outside of the state have been distorting the meaning of the flag. It doesn’t mean hate, she assures us, but it has caused “pain to so many,” and that is the reason for banishing it from the state house grounds.

This is not a “ban” of the flag, as I’ve heard some people say. Individuals remain free to to display the flag themselves, a freedom Haley mentioned in her speech. This is the speech of the government’s, for the people as a whole, as it decides what to display on the grounds, and government gets to choose how it will speak. Governor Haley is taking the best position, I think, and I know I’m saying that as an outsider to South Carolina.